Insert containing a scrotal catch and a non-flexible cup

ABSTRACT

An insert containing a scrotal catch and a non-flexible cup, wherein the scrotal catch is configured to support, protect or cover at least a portion of a male&#39;s scrotum and the non-flexible cup is configured to support, protect or cover at least a portion of a male&#39;s genitalia, is provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of pending application Ser. No.11/653,804, filed Jan. 16, 2007, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/758,876 filed Jan. 13,2006, 60/758,877 filed Jan. 13, 2006 and 60/776,434 filed Feb. 24, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to garments, articles and insertscomprising a scrotal catch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A man's genital area is a difficult area to support, cover, and/orprotect due to its heightened sensitivity, location on the body, andgeneral shape. This is especially true following surgery of the malegenitalia, the inferior abdomen, and/or of the pelvis. Because the malegenital area is the site of waste expulsion, it is difficult to keepthese surgical areas clean and prevent contamination from fecal matter,urine, and associated pathogens until the surgical site has healed. Theinability to keep these wound sites clean can result in woundinfections, inflammation, and additional scarring which, in turn, canlead to the need for more surgery. Accordingly, there is a need for anarticle that keeps surgical areas clean.

In addition, it is also harmful for waste material to remain inprolonged contact with the male genitalia. This is a very common problembecause there are no barriers preventing the migration of fecal matterto the genital area within an absorbent article. This migration of fecalmatter onto the male genitalia makes it very difficult and timeconsuming for caregivers to effectively clean the soiled areas and iffecal matter remains in prolonged contact with the male genitalia it cancontribute to urinary tract infections, inflammation of the malegenitalia and/or meatal stenosis. These painful conditions of the malegenitalia have been shown to delay toilet training or actually causeregression of a child who has been previously toilet trained.Accordingly, there is a need to prevent the contamination of the malegenitalia with fecal matter in an absorbent article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to garments comprisinga scrotal catch, wherein the scrotal catch is attached to at least aportion of the garment, and wherein the scrotal catch is configured tosupport, protect and/or cover at least a portion of a male's scrotum.

Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to insertscomprising a scrotal catch and a non-flexible cup, wherein the scrotalcatch is configured to support, protect and/or cover at least a portionof a male's scrotum and the cup is configured to support, protect and/orcover at least a portion of a male's genitalia.

Embodiments of the present invention are further directed to absorbentarticles comprising a top sheet, a bottom sheet, an absorbent coredisposed between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, and a scrotal catchattached to at least a portion of the top sheet, wherein the scrotalcatch is configured to support, protect and/or cover at least a portionof a male's scrotum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description will be more fully understood in viewof the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a baby that has been fitted with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an angled front view depicting a scrotal catch in oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an angled side view depicting a scrotal catch in anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a back view depicting a scrotal catch in one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is an angled front view depicting a scrotal catch in anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view depicting a scrotal catch in another embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a top view depicting a scrotal catch in one embodiment of thepresent invention.

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature andare not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims.Moreover, individual features of the drawings and the invention will bemore fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below willinclude the following meaning or meanings.

“Absorbent article” refers to garments that absorb and contain exudates,and more specifically, refers to garments that are placed against or inproximity to the body of a wearer to absorb and contain the variousexudates discharged from the body. A non-exhaustive list of examples ofabsorbent articles includes diapers, diaper covers, cloth diapers,disposable diapers, training pants, and adult incontinence products.This term includes both disposable and non-disposable absorbentarticles.

“Attached” refers to the joining, adhering, bonding, connecting, or thelike, of at least-two elements. Two elements will be considered to beattached together when they are attached directly to one another orindirectly to one another, such as when each is bonded to intermediateelements. The two elements can be attached in any suitable manner thatpermits or allows them to perform the intended or described function.

“Breathable” refers to a material present in one or more layers thatpermits vapors to travel through the material while still preventingexudates from passing through the material. Exemplary breathablematerials may include woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materialssuch as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporous films. Furthermore,the films may be apertured.

“Cup” refers to a non-flexible enclosure configured to support, protectand/or cover at least a portion of a male's genitalia.

“Disposable” refers to articles, which are designed to be discardedafter a limited use, rather than being laundered or otherwise restoredfor reuse.

“Enclosure” means to substantially cover by encasing, surrounding orfitting over or around at least a portion of the body.

“Fabric” refers to wovens, scrims, knits, nonwoven webs and other likematerials.

“Film” refers to a material present in one or more layers made using afilm extrusion process, such as a cast film or blown film extrusionprocess. The term includes apertured films, slit films, and other porousfilms, which constitute liquid transfer films, as well as films, whichdo not transfer liquid. The term also includes elastic films, inelasticfilms and combinations of such films.

“Flexible” refers to a material present in one or more layers which iscompliant and which will readily conform to the general shape andcontours of an object.

“Garment” refers to any type of product, which may be worn. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, diapers, training pants, medicalgarments, swim pants, absorbent articles, undergarments, clothing,pants, shorts, medical dressings, supports, incontinence products andthe like.

“Layer” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a singleelement or a plurality of elements.

“Liquid impermeable” refers to a material present in one or more layersthrough which liquid, such as urine, will not pass.

“Liquid permeable material” refers to a material present in one or morelayers, such as a film, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, scrim oropen-celled foam, which is porous, and which is water pervious due tothe flow of water and other aqueous liquids through the pores. The poresin the film or foam, or spaces between fibers or filaments in woven ornonwoven fabrics, are large enough and frequent enough to permit leakageand flow of liquid water through the material.

“Multilayer Laminate” means a laminate having multiple layers, which areof the same or different constructions. For example, the laminate caninclude a combination of spunbond and meltblown layers, such as aspunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) laminate, a combination of film andnonwoven layers or a combination of film layers. In addition, amultilayer film may be laminated to one or more nonwoven webs, usingconventional adhesive bonding or thermal bonding techniques known in theart.

“Non-flexible” refers to a material present in one or more layers, whichwill not readily conform to the general shape and contours of an object.This term includes, but is not limited to, rigid materials, semi-rigidmaterials, soft-pliable materials with structural elements to maintain anon-flexible form, and combinations thereof.

“Nonwoven” refers to materials and webs of material present in one ormore layers having a structure of individual fibers or filaments thatare interlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric.Nonwoven fabrics or webs may be formed from many processes such as,meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, air laying processes, andbonded carded web processes.

“Porous” refers to a material present in one or more layers that is ableto pass or transport a measurable amount of liquid under conditionsnormally encountered in the use of the material. The material may berendered porous by puncturing or aperturing, or rendered porous bymixing a polymer with filler, forming a film from the mixture, andstretching the film.

“Removably attached” refers to two elements being connected orconnectable such that the elements tend to remain connected absent aseparation force applied to one or both of the elements, and theelements being capable of separation without substantial permanentdeformation or rupture. The required separation force is typicallybeyond that encountered while wearing the article.

“Scrotal Catch” refers to an enclosure present in one or more layersconfigured to support, protect and/or cover at least a portion of amale's scrotum.

These terms may be further defined with additional language in theremaining portions of the specification.

The present invention is directed to a scrotal catch which is configuredto support, protect and/or cover at least a portion of a male's scrotum.The principles of the present invention can be incorporated into anysuitable garment, device or absorbent article in which there is desireto support, protect and/or cover at least a portion of a male's scrotum.Examples of suitable disposable and non-disposable garments in which thescrotal catch may be attached include, but are not limited to, diapers,training pants, incontinence products, swim wear, other personal care orhealth care garments, swim pants, athletic clothing, pants and shorts,and the like. Examples of suitable uses for the scrotal catch include,but are not limited to, wound protection, athletic support and/orprotection, wound covering, protection from infection, protection fromwetness, protection from fecal matter, compartmentalization of agarment, or combinations thereof. In addition, the principles of thepresent invention may be employed for a male of any age.

For ease of discussion, the following detailed description will be madein the context of an absorbent article, which is adapted to be worn byinfant, baby or toddler males. However, it will be appreciated that theinvention encompasses other embodiments for other uses, a few examplesof which are given above. Additionally, the invention will be describedin the context of its various configurations, however it should beappreciated that alternative arrangements of the invention can compriseany combination of such configurations.

Embodiments of the scrotal catch are illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. Asillustrated in FIGS. 6-7, an absorbent article 10 comprises a scrotalcatch 12 which is attached to at least a portion of the absorbentarticle 10, wherein the scrotal catch 12 is configured to support,protect and/or cover at least a portion of a male's scrotum. The scrotalcatch is configured to be an enclosure of a male's scrotum. If desired,the scrotal catch may also or alternatively be configured to provide abarrier to reduce and/or prevent fecal matter from contacting the male'sgenital area. In certain embodiments, the scrotal catch allows for theseparation of the interior surface of the absorbent article intoanterior and posterior compartments. This compartmentalization of theabsorbent article reduces and/or prevents the fecal matter from enteringthe anterior compartment containing the male's genitalia by retainingthe fecal matter in the posterior compartment of the absorbent article.

It will be appreciated that various materials may be employed for thescrotal catch of the present invention. Examples of suitable materialsinclude one or more layers of a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, ascrim, film, an open-celled foam or any combinations thereof. Inaddition, it will be appreciated that the one or more layers of thematerial may display various properties. For example, one or more layersof the scrotal catch may be breathable, liquid permeable, liquidimpermeable, flexible, non-flexible or any combination thereof.

It will also be appreciated that there are various configurations for anabsorbent article to which the scrotal catch may be attached, any ofwhich may be employed herein. In one embodiment, the absorbent articlecomprises a top sheet, a bottom sheet, an absorbent core disposedbetween the top sheet and the bottom sheet, and a scrotal catch attachedto at least a portion of the top sheet. The terms “top sheet” and“bottom sheet” denote the relationship of these materials or layers withrespect to the absorbent core. It is appreciated that the term “topsheet” refers to the sheet which is adjacent to the skin of the user ofthe absorbent article while the term “back sheet” refers to the sheetwhich is not adjacent to skin of the user of the absorbent article. Itis appreciated and understood that additional layers may be presentbetween the absorbent core and the top sheet and/or bottom sheet, andthat additional layers and other materials may be present on the sideopposite the absorbent core from either the top sheet or the bottomsheet. It is further appreciated that the one ore more layers of theabsorbent core may comprise similar or different breathability, liquidpermeability and flexibility properties. For example, in one embodiment,the absorbent article comprises a liquid impermeable, breathable backsheet, an absorbent core and a liquid permeable, breathable top sheet.

The scrotal catch is attached to the absorbent article. In certainembodiments, the scrotal catch may be removably attached to theabsorbent article. One skilled in the art will appreciate the variousmeans in which the scrotal catch may be removably attached to theabsorbent article, any of which may be employed herein. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, adhesives, tackifiers, snaps, buttons,hook materials, ties, straps and any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 6, the absorbent article 10 may further comprise anon-flexible cup 14. While the scrotal catch is configured to support,protect and/or cover at least a portion of a male's scrotum, thenon-flexible cup is configured to support, protect and/or cover at leasta portion of a male's genitalia. In certain embodiments, as depicted inFIG. 3, the cup 14 is configured to support, protect and/or cover all ofa male's genitalia. In other embodiments, as depicted in FIGS. 1-2, thecup 14 is configured to support, protect and/or cover a male's penis.The addition of the non-flexible cup to the absorbent article not onlyassists in the reduction and/or prevention of fecal matter fromcontacting a male's genital area, but also or alternatively may serve toprotect the genital area from external pressure.

It will be appreciated and understood that various configurations,shapes and sizes may be employed for the non-flexible cup of the presentinvention. It will also be appreciated that the non-flexible cup may beattached to various portions of the absorbent article comprising ascrotal catch and such attachment may be permanent or removable. Incertain embodiments, the non-flexible cup is attached to at least aportion of the top sheet. In other embodiments, the non-flexible cup isattached to at least a portion of the scrotal catch. In furtherembodiments, the non-flexible cup is attached to at least a portion ofthe scrotal catch and the top sheet. In further embodiments, theabsorbent article is configured so that the non-flexible cup is providedbetween the top sheet and the absorbent core.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the scrotal catch 12 may be attached to variousportions of the non-flexible cup 14. As depicted in FIGS. 1-2, thescrotal catch 12 is attached to the exterior surface of the non-flexiblecup 14. As depicted in FIGS. 3-5, the scrotal catch 12 is attached tothe exterior surface of the non-flexible cup 14. It is also appreciatedthat the scrotal catch may be attached to the exterior and interiorsurface of the non-flexible cup.

It will be appreciated that various materials may be employed for usewith the non-flexible cup of the present invention. Examples of suitablematerials include one or more layers of a nonwoven fabric, a wovenfabric, a scrim, film, an open-celled foam, plastic or any combinationsthereof. In addition, it will be appreciated the various properties inwhich the one or more layers of the material may comprise. For example,one or more layers of the non-flexible cup may be breathable, liquidpermeable or liquid impermeable. As depicted in FIG. 5, the non-flexiblecup 14 comprises a breathable, liquid permeable bottom layer 19, middlelayer 18 and top layer 17. In one embodiment, the middle layer 18comprises a plastic material. However it should be appreciated thatalternative arrangements of the non-flexible cup may be employed, whichincludes additional layers and other materials on the surface and sidesof the non-flexible cup.

In certain embodiments, the absorbent article may be configured toprovide an opening in the top sheet and/or the absorbent core forreceiving the non-flexible cup or for receiving at least a portion of amale's genitalia when the non-flexible cup is not included in theabsorbent article.

The absorbent article may also comprise a moisture-indicating device.The remote moisture indicators are designed to allow an individual or acaregiver of an individual to be alerted when moisture is present in anabsorbent article without the need to remove the clothing. By allowingthe caregiver or the individual to be alerted about a wet garment, itcan be changed in an appropriate timeframe, reducing the time of contactwith a soiled garment. By preventing prolonged contact with either urineor fecal matter, the general health and hygiene of the skin is improved,which reduces the risk of, for example, diaper rash, skin breakdown,bed-sores, and urinary tract infections.

It will be appreciated that various moisture indicating devices may beemployed in the present invention. In one embodiment, the moistureindicating device comprises a sensor, a neck with a first end and asecond end, and a moisture indicator, wherein the sensor is attached tothe first end of the neck and the moisture indicator is attached to thesecond end of the neck. It will be appreciated that the sensor may beplaced anywhere within the absorbent article to facilitate the detectionof moisture. In one embodiment, the sensor is placed in the genital areaof the absorbent article. It will also be appreciated the various meansin which the information obtained from the sensor will transfer to themoisture indicator. In one embodiment, the information is transferred byphysical means, such as with capillary action. In another embodiment,the information is transferred by electrical means. It will also beappreciated that the moisture indicator may be placed anywhere desirableoutside of the absorbent article for easy access, viewing or readout.Furthermore, one skilled in the art will appreciate the various means inwhich the moisture in the absorbent article may be indicated. Forexample, the moisture indicator may be visual, such as with a colorchange by chemical means or electrical means, tactile, such asvibrations indicating a wet diaper, or aural, such as an audible alarm.

The specific illustrations and embodiments described herein areexemplary only in nature and are not intended to be limiting of theinvention defined by the claims. Further embodiments and examples willbe apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thisspecification and are within the scope of the claimed invention.

1. An insert comprising a scrotal catch and a non-flexible cup, whereinthe scrotal catch is liquid permeable and flexible, such that thescrotal catch conforms to a contour of a scrotum, and wherein thescrotal catch is configured to support, protect or cover at least aportion of the scrotum and to provide a barrier to reduce or prevent thepassage of fecal matter to a genital area, and wherein the cup isconfigured to support, protect or cover at least a portion of a male'sgenitalia.
 2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the cup is configured tosupport, protect or cover a male's penis.
 3. The insert of claim 1,wherein the scrotal catch is removably attached to the cup.
 4. Theinsert of claim 1, wherein the scrotal catch is removably attached to aninterior of the cup, an exterior of the cup, a bottom of the cup, or acombination thereof.
 5. The insert of claim 1, wherein the scrotal catchis comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a wovenfabric, a non-woven fabric, a film, and any combination thereof.
 6. Theinsert of claim 1, wherein the scrotal catch comprises a breathablematerial.
 7. The insert of claim 1, wherein the cup is porous.
 8. Theinsert of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cup is covered witha material selected from the group consisting of a woven fabric, anon-woven fabric, a film, and any combination thereof.
 9. The insert ofclaim 8, wherein the material is breathable.
 10. The insert of claim 9,wherein the cup is configured to provide a barrier to reduce or preventthe passage of fecal matter to the genital area and is configured toprotect the genital area from external pressure.
 11. The insert of claim1, wherein the scrotal catch is attached to at least a portion of agarment.
 12. The insert of claim 11, wherein the garment comprises adiaper, an absorbent article, an undergarment, a piece of clothing, adressing, a support, an incontinence garment or a combination thereof.13. The insert of claim 1, wherein the cup is attached to at least aportion of a garment.
 14. The insert of claim 13, wherein the garmentcomprises a diaper, an absorbent article, an undergarment, a piece ofclothing, a dressing, a support, an incontinence garment or acombination thereof.
 15. The insert of claim 14, wherein the scrotalcatch is attached to at least a portion of the garment.
 16. The insertof claim 13, wherein the garment is an absorbent article comprising atop sheet, a bottom sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between thetop sheet and the bottom sheet.
 17. The insert of claim 16, wherein anopening is provided in the top sheet and/or absorbent core for receivingthe cup.
 18. The insert of claim 16, wherein the cup is attached to atleast a portion of the top sheet.
 19. The insert of claim 16, whereinthe cup is disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent core. 20.The insert of claim 18, wherein the top sheet further comprises asleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive the cup.